Table 3.
Exemplar Results From Social Domain of HRQoL
| Round 1 | Changes | Round 2 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure/Items | Cognitive Interview Probes | Summary of Findings | Measure/Items | Cognitive Interview Probes | Summary of Findings | |
| 3 items indicating current level of confidence on a 5-point scale from “I am not at all confident” to “I am very confident.” I can stay involved in community or religious activities. (SEMSS001) I can stay in touch with friends and family. (SEMSS005) I can maintain my usual activities. (SEMSS004) |
-\tWhat time period were you thinking about as you answered these questions? -\tWhen you read the response options here, how do you interpret “level of confidence”? |
“Current” time frame was differentially interpreted, and variation over time was reported. “Level of confidence” language and/or corresponding response options were difficult and/or differentially interpreted. |
Replaced 3 items with PROMIS Item Bank, v2.0—Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities—Short Form 4a (also includes work). The prior items were also determined by study team to not align with measurement goals. Cognitive interview probes were revised. |
Response options: Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Often, Always. I have trouble doing all of my regular leisure activities with others. I have trouble doing all of the family activities that I want to do. I have trouble doing all of my usual work (including work at home). I have trouble doing all of the activities with friends that I want to do. |
Basic Probes—Applicable for All (Individual) Items
-\tIn your own words, what do you think this question is asking? -\tHow does this question represent your experience (X)? -\tCan you walk me through how you chose/decided on your answer? -\tI noticed you chose [response category]. Tell me a bit about that. What would have made it [lower category] or [higher adjacent category]? -\tTell me about your choice of ANSWER and not ANSWER (+/-1). -\tWas there anything you weren’t sure whether to include or not include? -\tHow sure are you of your answer? -\tHow difficult or easy was it for you to come up with an answer? Domain-Specific Probes -\tWould your answers be different if you were asked these questions closer to the time of your bloodstream infection? If yes, which questions and how would you have responded differently? (Record response.) -\tWhen do you recall the bloodstream infection impacting you the most in terms of your ability to participate in social roles and activities? |
Patients generally indicated lack of social activities due to infection—mostly after but also during. Short Form Measure and items contained therein are “fit for purpose.” |
Abbreviation: HRQoL, health-related quality of life.